Graham Hosie (CEAMARC Leader) and Takashi Ishimaru (Voyage Leader)

Wednesday 23 January 2008 à 12:00

Sophie Mouge. Correspondent aboard the Aurora Australis

FROM: Martin Riddle
DATE: 23/01/08
REPORT (SITREP) NO.: 338
UNIVERSAL TIME: 0100
LOCAL (SHIP) TIME: 1200
AUSTRALIAN EASTERN STANDARD TIME: 1200
POSITION: -56 31.5, 141 59.4
HEADING: 010T
CURRENT SPEED (KNOTS): 11.5 kts
DISTANCE TO NEXT WAYPOINT (NAUTICAL MILES): 700 DISTANCE COVERED LAST 24
HOURS (NAUTICAL MILES): 227.6
WEATHER CONDITIONS: Mostly cloudy, distant rain, winds 25 kts from 303T gusting to 30 kts
AIR TEMPERATURE: 4.7 SEA
TEMPERATURE: 4.3
SEA CONDITIONS: Moderate to rough seas and moderate WNW'ly swell 3m
ICE CONDITIONS: Nil
REMARKS: This morning the last of the CTD casts for genomic analysis of marine microorganisms near the seabed was taken in depths of a little over 3000m. The Continuous Plankton Recorder is now being towed behind the ship on the second of three deployments for the return journey. During each deployment it collects zooplankton from the near surface waters on a silk spool that is gradually wound past the opening in the CPR using a simple clockwork mechanism driven by a small propeller. When analysed, differences in the zooplankton community over the 400 mile deployment can be identified.
Everyone busy on board processing data, collating reports and preparing paperwork for arrival in Hobart.
Regards, Martin and Sarah.